“A picture is worth a thousand words" refers to the belief that a perplexing idea can be conveyed with just a single still image. If you have passionate ideas related to your business and can translate them into an amazing photo this will be the first step in opening the door to a world of possibilities on Instagram.

If you are thinking about putting your business on Instagram, the first question that probably comes to mind is how Instagram could possibly help your business; well there is a ton of ways actually.

Instagram originated in 2010 and acquired by Facebook in 2012 and ever since then it has been growing, Instagram hasn’t been the most popular marketing tool but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it, chances are most of your competitors are not on Instagram yet - be one step ahead of them. Instagram however has more and more people and business's using it everyday, it has actually been a very effective platform for marketers. Instagram gives you the perfect chance to get your message out quickly to target audiences. Millions of active Instagram users are posting oodles of photos a day; think about how much potential Instagram has to promote your business if millions of people are using and posting on it every day, just think of all those possibilities, just think!

I will give you a couple different ways you will be able to integrate Instagram with your business but first if you don’t know what Instagram is let’s do a quick run through, according to Wikipedia

Without any doubt Instagram is an up-and-coming photo based social platform not to be ignored, so jump aboard the ship matey and let’s get creative with Instagram.

#1: Showing off your Products

Personally I will admit that I have a bad habit of browsing on the internet for hours upon hours, yes just browsing! If you are able to offer some mobile window shopping therapy to your audience then you will receive followers and customers. Alothough sometimes our customers thoughts are limited; with Instagram you can help your consumer’s imagination by showing products in use. Flaunt your products to the world but word of advice change it up, don’t advertise after advertise start engaging customers to your business by sharing a photo of new products each week or sneak peeks of upcoming products. Show Instagram followers the outcome of your work by using before and after pictures, especially if you are in the makeup, hair design, interior decorators, fitness, landscaping and auto body repair industry.Starbuckshas a great way of showing off their products, coming up with creative ways to take pictures of their products, letting customers know what products are new and so on.

Clearly you have to have a reasonable amount of followers before people will exchange and participate with your business, but it will come and once the follower base starts pouring in you will have a vast selection of ideas to get your customers involved. For instance you can get customers to use things like Hash Tags to mention your business. If you’re in the clothing business you can find customers who wear your clothes and ask them to model for you, it would be a lot cheaper than hiring a model and they will love your brand even more (I know I would). If you’re not in the apparel business, choose a loyal follower each week to promote. Invite followers to do before and after pictures if you are in the field of design, decorating, makeovers, health programs, and more. Making engagement fun with your follows will turn out to be a wonderland for your business; it will give you a greater chance of people spending money with you and encouraging their friends to as well!

Did someone say free?! Offering a free product or service to a random person each month is very exciting, and if it’s free people will be sure to come. Contests are the best and most effective way to engage customers, creating a contest is a great way to get your Hash tag spread among Instagram.

An example of a fun photo contest is from Rimmel London, to enter you snap a photo of your best Scandel Eyes, tag it with #StealTheShow, and then you are entered to win a professional photo shoot in NYC. Contests like this can get your business more instagram followers fast and easy while being creative at the same time.

Most people are not only interested in your products but also what is going on behind the scenes. By sharing photos of how a product is made, the perspective of an inside employee performing the services you offer, a hard working employee, or even just catching some candid photos of your employees, all this can really interest potential clients. Being able to give your customers exclusive content is like having a backstage pass to a concert; it’s exciting, creating demand for more. Most magazine companies and TV stars give you behind the scenes access to how they shoot a catalog or ad, film a commercial, getting ready to step out on to the red carpet, or getting ready for an interview. It is in our human nature to be curious about these things because we do not get to experience this in real life.

We as people are always on the move, so why not take Instagram with you. If you have an upcoming sponsoring event, trade-show, or product launch use Instagram to your advantage to let your followers experience what you are doing in real time. People like to know what’s going on, show your followers the events or causes you attend, support or sponsor, they will better understand you if they know what you’re all about.

Everyone loves animals; cutesiness is popular among all ages. If you have animals visiting your business place often snap a picture, if you have animals at home snap some pictures. You can get creative with animals no matter what type of business you’re in; feature them in your ADS as a company mascot or rocking your brand. Don’t miss out on getting your cute side of the business out there, just don’t make it a habit, cuteness kills, not really I’m only joking, once and awhile is okay but if your business is not animal related keep it to a minimum. I’m sure no one can deny the loveable furry friends of ours though, they are sure to hit the soft spot in everyone giving you some new followers.